John Hoffman: Building a community of shared future in cyberspace to facilitate global sharing of internet development achievements

Interview Series: Community with a Shared Future for Mankind

EP25: John Hoffman: Building a community of shared future in cyberspace to facilitate global sharing of internet development achievements

Q1: 5G is an important direction for the evolution and upgrade of next-generation information and communication technologies. How do you view the development and application of 5G technology in China over the past few years?

John Hoffman: China at four years ago launched their 5G services, and we have seen the largest takeup of 5G services and applications here in China. China continues to innovate around 5G, and is one of the very strong leaders in the world in 5G adoption innovation, and in future evolution of the 5G technology.

Q2: With the rapid development the digital economy, what role does 5G play in driving the digital transformation of the economic society? What are the positively impacts of China's promotion and innovative application of 5G to global digital transformation?

John Hoffman: I think the 5G technology allows us to focus a lot on digital transformation of our vertical sectors. So everything from our fintech digital transformation from a hard physical currency to an electronic currency is pervasive around the world, but also in the areas of pharmaceutical industry, health care, education, transportation, manufacturing, is going to be dramatically impacted by 5G and private 5G networks. We're seeing that adoption, that transformation and that innovation happening right here in China and giving the world some solutions to emulate, to localize and to adopt it in their own countries.

Q3: How does the Global System for Mobile Communications Association plan to enhance cooperation with China in the coming years? What are the key areas and long-term goals?

John Hoffman: GSMA and China through our partners and and our members such as China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom, have been hand in hand in working with both CAC as well as MIIT in regulation that allows our community to not only solve the needs of today, but solve the needs of the world into the future. And that GSMA is firmly committed that China's our largest mobile country, Chinese is our largest mobile five G business unit. So we have unique opportunity to maybe help influence, but also to work together to continue the digital transformation that's taking place not only here in China, but across Asia and across the world

Q4: In recent years, China has deepened international cooperation in fields such as ICT, work to improve global digital connectivity so as to promote the building of a community with a shared future in cyberspace. How do you think of the significance of this proposal for the development and cooperation of the Internet?

John Hoffman: You know, it's extremely critical that we are a participant, because today more people access the Internet by mobile devices than any other means. And so by combining our forces by combining the assets of mobile technology along with cyberspace. I think, you know we can continue to transform the way we live and work around the world, not only here in China, but in another areas that are still adopting 4G, and maybe even relying on 3G. So it's a unique shared responsibility that we see, and one that we take very seriously, and we will continue to support.